Operating means for washing machines, driers, and the like



Dec. 3, 1935. w. H. YANDELL OPERATING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES, DRIERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 22, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l L Ii.

. 14 H. y/l/VDELL INVENTOR.

BY ATTORN Y.

Dec. 3, 1935. w. H. YANDELL 2,023,215

OPERATING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES, DRIERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3, 1935. w YANDELL 2,023,215

OPERATING MEANS FOR WASHING MACHINES, DRIERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 22, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet 3 FIE-E1 WH. re /V0544 INVENTOR.

A TTOIiNE Y.

Patented Dec. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE OPERATING MEANS FOR WASHING MA- ems,- DRIERS, THE LIKE William H. Yandell, .loliet, Ill. Application August 22, 1932, Serial No. 629,825

ii Claims.

The present invention relates to power transmitting and control means in washing machines and driers. Among the objects of this invention are to provide an improved mode of application of power to oscillating mechanism; to provide an improved mode of applying power to a rotating mechanism; to provide an improved fluidpressure drier; to provide an improved means for controlling the application of power to the flexible and distensible diaphragm of a fluid pressure drier; to provide improved safety mechanism for a structure of the character indicated;' and such 'fiuther objects, advantages and capabilities as will hereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction disclosed herein.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and, while I have shown therein what is now considered the pre- 0 ferred embodiment of this invention, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only and not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof,

I Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a structure embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 1, broken away to show-means for applying power to a drier of the so-called spinner type in contradistinction to the fluid-pressure type of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan section taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 showain fragmentary sectional elevation, a part of my new mechanism employed in the operation of a wringer of ordinary type;

. Fig. 9 is a central vertical section through the tructure shown in Fig. 10 taken substantially long the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of that gure;

' Fig. 10 is a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially. along the plane indicated by the line ill-I0, Fig. 9. Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary plan sections taken substantially along the planes indicated by the lines ll-ll and li-IZ, Fig. 5,'respeco tively.

Reference will now be made in greater detail to the annexed drawings wherein similar numerals denote like parts throughout the several views. A bottom i has a skirt 2 depending there- 10 from and connecting it to supporting legs 3 provided with suitable casters 4, as is common practice. Supported on the platform I is a washing machine tub E, a water reservoir 6, and a surrounding casing 'l which assists in supporting the ill pressure drier 8 and enclosing the operating mechanism for the drier, as well as the reservoir 6. v A bracket 9 connects the tub 5 with the pressure-drier 8 and assists in supporting and positioning same. A drain channel l0 connected with a drain spout I lsurrounds the bowl of the pressure drier and carries 01? water expressed from the clothing put into-the drier. Normally this water is carried back into the tub 5, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, but the drain is rotatable so that it may be turned about the drier, thereby making it possible to deliver the expressed water in any desired direction from the machine. 5

A supporting ring i2 is attached to the bracket 9 and is supported thereby and by the casing l.

The bowl l3 of the drier has an outwardly turned flange which rests upon the ring it and is secured thereto by the bolts It and ring l5. The lower inner edge of the ring l5 has a notch or groove therein, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, and the head 16 of the diaphragm I l is compressed in this notch between the ring l5 and the flange of the bowl l3. In this manner, the diaphragm is positively held in place. The upper outer edge of the ring i5 is notched to form a series of lugs I8 40 around the entire, or substantially theentire, periphery of the ring. These lugs l8 cooperate with corresponding lugs l9 around the periphery of the cover 20 of the drier. Mechanism is provided for relatively rotating the ring l5 and cover 20, thereby causing the lugs l8 and I9 to be engaged and disengaged so that the cover may be fastened in placeor loosened so that it may be raised for the insertion of clothing into or removal of same from the space above the diaphragm I1. Reenforcing ribs 2| .are formed upon the outer surface of the cover 20-, though it is believed that these might be placed upon the inner surface thereof where they would act as spacing means, keeping the woven wire basket 22 separated farther from the cover 20. This basket 22 is needed in keeping the clothing away from the cover 20 so that the water may drain out of the outer edge where it will pass outwardly and downwardly into the trough ID to be carried away. If found desirable, openings may be formed through the ring l6 between the bolts M to serve as means for carrying the water away from the clothing when expressed therefrom. However, the cover 20 does not fit so tightly against the ring H but what the water can pass outwardly between the two and it is therefore thought that it will never, under any circumstances, be necessary to provide openings through the ring I5.

A post 23 has a head through which a shaft 24 passes and in-which the shaft has a bearing. This shaft is provided with a handle 2 5 by means of which it may be rotated in the bearing. Adjacent its opposite end, as indicated at 26, the shaft has a bearing in a post 21 rising from an extension 28 extending outwardly from the edge of the cover 20. A washer-like member 29, secured to the shaft 24, has a pin 29a projecting therefrom which is rotated in an opening 30a in a slide 30 which is movable longitudinally in a channel in the post 21. A further description of the function of the pin will be given hereinafter.

A head 3| is secured to the end of the shaft 24 and carries a pin 32 eccentrically with relation to this shaft. A roller 33 is mounted on the pin 32 and is located in the curved slot 34, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. Owing to the length of slot 34 and the fact that the greater portion of the slot is concentric with the shaft 24, it will be seen that the shaft can be turned through more than without the pin 32 exerting any pressure to cause actuation of the post 35 in which the slot 34 is located. A slot 36 in the extension 28 permits relative lateral movement of the extension and the post 35, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. As shown at 31 and 38, the lower portion of the post 35 is connected to a pin 39 and slides thereon to cause relative lateral motion of the post 21 and a corresponding post 40, extending downwardly from the rearward extension of the'ring l2. As indicated above, the shaft 24 has abearing in the post- 21 and there is therefore no lateral movement of these parts with relation to each other. On the contrary, post 35 may and does move laterally with relation to the post 21 on account of the eccentric mounting of the pin 32 and the shape of the slot 34 through which the pin extends. The downwardly extending post 40 has upwardly and rearwardly extending ears 4| and 42 which serve as supports for the pin 39. The ears 31 and 38 fit in rather close- 1y between the ears 4| and 42 and therefore the post 35 does not move laterally with relation to the ring l2. Consequently, the post 21 must move laterally with relation to the post 35. Because of this, the projection 28 is carried laterally and carries with it the cover 20, causing rotation thereof with relation to the ring I5. This causes locking and unlocking of the cover with relation to the bowl l3'and attached rings I2 and I5.

A slide 43 forms an extension of the slide 30 and is caused to have reciprocating motion in the post 40 as the slide 30 is moved up and down by the pin 29a. (See Fig. 7.) At its lower end, the slide 43 is pivotally connected with a bellcrank lever 44, as shown at 45. The second end of the lever 44 is pivotally connected at 46 with a pair of links 41 and 48, the former of which is connected with the rotary member of a valve 49 and the latter with a lever 60 pivotally mounted at 6| upon the base I. (See Fig. 1.) This lever 50 actuates the movable member 62 of a clutch 53 by means of which the shaft 64 may be connected in driving relation with the rotor of a pump 65. The shaft 64 and motor shaft 61 are connected in driving relation by means of the belt 66 or equivalent means.

The shaft 54 may be connected to drive a power transmission means for a washing machine dolly, such, for example, as that shown in a copending application of mine, Serial No. 626,162, filed July 29, 1932. This connection may include a clutch or not, as desired. This power transmission mechanism is denoted in the present drawings, in general, by the numeral 58. A fluid tank 59 is mounted within the skirt 2 and supplies the fiuid by means of which the power transmission mechanism 58 functions, as disclosed in my above mentiohed application. Pipes 60 and 6| connect the power transmission mechanism and the fluid tank so that oil or other fluid may be caused to flow from the tank into the transmission mechanism and return to the tank.

A pipe 62 carries fluid from the tank 6 to the pump 55 and this fluid is carried from this pump through a pipe 63 to the valve 49 from whence it passes through the pipe 64 into the interior of the bowl l3, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5. This is the course through which the water travels when the valve 49 is actuated by the closing and locking of the cover 20. When the lid 20 is opened, valve 49 is actuated so as to open the passageway between the pipes 65 and 64 and pipe 65 is put into communication with pipe 64 so as to permit the water to drain back from the bowl I3 to the tank 6.

In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the tank 59 is replaced by a tank 66, which is not essentially different. The motor 61 is the same in both of these constructions and is connected in both by the belt 56 with the driving shaft 54. Inlet pipes 68 and 69 lead from the tank 66 to the pumps I0 and II. From the former of these, fluid is pumped through the pipe 12 into a rotary power transmission means 13 such, for example, as that illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 626,163, filed July 29, 1932, now Patent No. 1,964,492, issued June 26, 1934. The shaft 14 of this power transmission means extends through the bottom I and into the container I5 of a so-called spinner where it is connected with the rotating element of the spinner and causes actuation thereof for the extraction of moisture from wet clothing placed therein. A return pipe 16 carries the fluid back from the mechanism 13 to the tank 66. A pipe 11 returns the fluid from mechanism 58 to the fluid tank 66. This pipe corresponds to pipe 2| in the application referred to above. The dolly shaft 18 passes through the bottom I and into the washing tub 5 where it is connected with the dolly for actuation thereof.

Reference will now be made more particularly to sheet 2 of the drawings for a description of one of the interlocking features. When the shaft 24 is rotated, the pin 29a, operating in slot 80, first pushes the slide 30 downwardly until the pin 29a is below the shaft 24 and then it rises in the curved part of the slot. (See Fig.7.) In order to permit this slide to move downwardly, it is provided with a slot 8| which passes over the shaft as the slide moves downwardly. During this motion of the slide 30, it carries with it the slide 43, the two being notched and connected, as indicated at 62 in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. While this is taking place, the

pin 32 is swinging downwardly in an are about the axis of the shaft 24, as will appear from Fig. 6.. While this is happening, andfor a short time after the pin 29a passes the shaft 24, the pin 32 5 will cause ,no motion of post 35 and the cover. However, when the pin 32 reachesthe end of the arcuate slot in post 35 in which it travels, relative movement of posts 21 and 35 is caused, resulting in rotation of cover 20 with reference to bowl I9 10 and unlocking of the cover.

At the time when the pin 29a reaches the lowest part in its course of travel, the shoulder at the upper end of slide 43 is below the extension 28 and this slide may therefore move laterally with 15 relation to the post 21 so that the connection at 62 may be released. However, before this connection is completely released, the pin 83 carried by the hinge pin 99 is engaged'by thenotch 94 in the slide 93. This, therefore, prevents this slide from dropping down so that the connections 32 would fail to meet when the handle 25 is again turned in the opposite direction to lock the cover in closed position. When the cover is closed and the handle 25 turns in the opposite direction, the operation is just the opposite from that described above.

Reference will now be made more particularly to Fig. 8 wherein is shown the mechanism for operating a roller wringer. Various parts of this structure are the same as those shown in other figures and are given the same reference numerals. At 73 is shown a structure which serves either as a rotary pump or power transmission mechanism, as disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 626,163, filed July 29, 1932. From the one of these devices which serves as a power transmission mechanism there extends a shaft 9% which drives the gearing mechanism of the wringer to cause rotation thereof. From the foregoing it will be seen that power can be transmitted from the motor M to the wringer' shaft 86 without the interposition of any gearing or rack and pinion, as is so common in prior art constructions. A valve 81 may be opened more or less to control the amount of fluid by-passed between the inlet and outlet. In this way, the rate of rotation of shaft 86 may be regulated. It will of course be understood that suitable mechanism will be provided to make it possible to regulate this valve.

The valve mechanism 69 will next be described in connection more especially with Figs. 9 and wherein this mechanism is shown in detail. As pointed out heretofore, pipe 63 is the inlet pipe and 65 the outlet. Between the members 99 and. 90 of the valve mechanism 49 is an apertured plate 9| which is secured in place by means a of the screws 92. A plate93, either secured to or forming a part of the shaft 94, is provided 1 with apertures 95 corresponding to the apertures 96 of plate 9!. The end of shaft 96 fits closely in an opening in this plate and is rotatable therein. The plate 93 is therefore mounted for rotation with relation to the plate 9| and the two sets of apertures 95 and 96 can be brought into register by rotation of the shaft 94. This rotation is accomplished by means of the crank 91 which is pivotally connected at 98 to the link 1 41, referred to above. By now referring to Fig.

1, it will be seen that when the lid 20 is raised the link 41 will be moved to the right, as viewed in this figure. Therefore, the openings 95 will be brought into registry. with the openings 96 and the water in the bowl l3 will be permitted run out through the valve mechanism 49 and the pipe 65. As the water runs out of the bowl, the clothing causes the diaphragm I! to settle until the tension of the distensible membrane supports the clothing. When the water has been forced out of the clothing, the latter will 5 normally be supported above the bottom of the bowl l3. However, when the clothing comes from the washing machine, it contains a great deal of water and is normally heavy enough to cause the diaphragm to expand substantially into contact 10 with the bowl.

In order to prevent excesive presure being built up in the drier mechanism and thus'insure that the mechanism will not explode or be injured by such pressure, a safety mechanism is provided in connection with the valve mechanism 49. This comprises an adjustable plug 98 and a spring illll which presses against the-plate 93 and holds same in contact with the plate 9!, under normal conditions. However, if the pressure tends to become excessive, it overcomes the tension of spring I69 and forces the plate 93 away from the plate 9i, thus permitting the water to pass out through the openings 96 and the pipe 65. Nut ilil serves as a set-nut to prevent the plug 99 from inadvertently moving in or out. If it is desired to increase or decrease the pressure attainable in the bowl i3, the nut I9! is loosened and the plug 99 is screwed in or out until the desired adjustment is reached. The nut llil is so then tightened up to hold the plug 99 in place. It will be seen from the foregoing that the amount of pressure required to push plate 93 away from plate Si is adjustable so that varying degrees of pressure may be obtained in the bowl I3. This pressure is also adjustable by varying the strength of the spring Hill, that is, by putting in a stronger or weaker spring.

. From the foregoing it will be seen that opening the lid 29 opens the valve 49 and permits 4.9 the water to run from the bowl l9, while reversal of the action closes valve 99, thus preventing escape of the water and permitting building up of pressure within the bowl i3 when it is desired to express water from the clothing above the diaphragm ll. Also, it will be seen that if the pressure in the bowl it exceeds the amount for which the spring I00 is adjusted to permit plate 93 to move away from plate 9!, this will take place and will prevent further building up 50 of pressure in the bowl i3. This therefore serves the function of a safety valve and prevents the occurrence of accidents due to excessive pressure.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. A structure for the purpose indicated comprising a bowl having a fluid pipe opening into its bottom portion, a flexible and distensible diaphragm connected in air-tight relation to its upper portion, a support for said bowl, a cover hinged to said support and adapted to be turned about its hinge so as to close the bowl or be turned into position so that the bowl will be opened, means to cause said cover and said bowl to be interconnected so that the cover cannot be opened, a pump, means to control the functioning of the pump, and means connecting the control means for the pump with said interconnecting means so that actuation of the pump will be discontinued when the cover and bowl are not interconnected.

2. A structure as defined by claim 1 having a fluid reservoir, means connecting the fluid reservoir with the inlet of the pump, means connecting the outlet of the pump with the bowl, means connecting the bowl to the reservoir so that fluid may be drained from the former to the latter, anda valve controlling the flow o1 fluid from the bowl to the reservoir, said valve being actuated into open position by the means which causes the cover to be disconnected from the bowl.

3. A washing machine drier comprising a bowl and a cover therefor, the cover being connected to the bowl for swinging and rotary motion, extensions from one edge of the bowl and cover, saidextensions being pivotally connected to permit the pivotal motion of said cover, an open post extending upwardly from the cover extension, an open post extending downwardly from the bowl extension, a sectional slide movable lengthwise of said posts, and operating means to actuate said slide in said posts.

4. A structure as defined by claim 3 having an outlet for the bowl, a valve controlling said outlet, and connections between the slide and the valve so that actuation of the former results in actuation of the latter.

5. In a combined washing machine and drier, a support, a drier bowl carried thereby, said bowl having an extension at one side of its edge, a pivot pin carried by said extension, a cover for said bowl having an extension at one side of its edge, said second mentioned extension being pivotally connected to said pivot pin, said bowl and cover having interconnecting means adjacent their respective edges, means mounted on said cover to cause rotary motion of the cover with relation to the bowl whereby to cause connection or disconnection of these parts, a pump and connections whereby fluid may be forced into said bowl, a clutch controlling actuation of said pump, and connections between the clutch and the means on the cover whereby actuation of said means will cause actuation of the cover and the clutch so that the cover will be secured in closed position before the pump is put into operation and the pump will be caused to stop operating before the cover is released.

6. A structure for the purpose stated comprising supporting means, a motor carried by said supporting means, a shaft driven by said motor and divided into two parts, a clutch to connect said parts in driving relation, a pump actuated by said shaft when the parts are connected in driving relation, a fluid reservoir communicating with'the inlet of the pump, a clothes drier bowl communicating with the outlet of the pump, communicating means between the reservoir and the bowl, a cover for said bowl, and common means for actuating the cover to fastened or unfastened position and the clutch to driving or idling position.

7. A structure as defined by claim 6 having a valve controlling passage of fluid through said communicating means, said valve being actuated to open and closed positions by said common actuating means.

8. A structure as defined by claim 6 having a valve controlling passage of fluid through said communicating means, said valve being constructed for rotary and axial movement and being actuated to open and closed positions by said common actuating means and. being moved axially to open position by excess of pressure in the bowl.

9. A drier comprising a bowl and a cover therefor, the two being connected for relative rotary and hinging motion, the bowl and cover having alined hollow posts connected therewith, a rotary shaft mounted upon the cover and connected with one of the posts for rotary motion with relation thereto, a sectional slide movable longitudinally in the hollow of the posts, and means carried by the shaft for causing sliding motion of the slide with relation to the posts.

10. A structure as defined by claim 9 in which the bowl is provided with a drain, a rotary valve controlling the exit from said drain, said valve being connected to said slide so that longitudinal motion of the slide will cause the valve to be opened or closed.

11. A structure for the purpose indicated, comprising a fluid-pressure drier bowl and interconnected cover, the cover being rotatable with relation to the bowl when closed, a fluid reservoir, a pump, connections between the pump and reservoir, the pump and bowl, and the bowl and reservoir, for carrying fluid between them, and a valve in said connections whereby the flow of fluid from the bowl to the reservoir may be controlled, said valve comprising relatively movable apertured parts, one of which has a supporting shaft which is rotatably and axially movable and is connected to the cover so that when the cover is caused to have rotary movement the movable valve part will also be caused to have rotary movement.

12. A structure for the purpose indicated, comprising a fluid-pressure drier bowl and interconnected cover, a fluid reservoir, a pump, connections between the pump and reservoir, the pump and bowl, and the bowl and reservoir, for carrying fluid between them, a valve in said connections whereby the flow of fluid from the bowl to the reservoir may be controlled, said valve comprising relatively movable parts, one of which is rotatably and axially movable and is caused by excessive pressure in the bowl to move axially so as to prevent further building up of excessive pressure, and means for rotating said valve to release pressure in the bowl, regardless of the fact that said pressure may not be excessive.

13. A drier mechanism of the character indicated comprising a fluid-pressure drier bowl, a cover, interconnecting projections on the edges of the bowl and cover, a fluid reservoir, a pump external to the reservoir, connections between the pump and reservoir, the pump and bowl, and the bowl and reservoir, for carrying fluid between them, and a valve in said connection between the bowl and reservoir whereby the flow of fluid from the bowl to the reservoir may be controlled, the valve being constructed to be opened by excessive pressure in the bowl so that the structure cannot be injured by such pressure, and actuating means for causing interconnection of said projec ions.

14. A structure as defined by claim 12 having means connected with the actuating means and the valve for causing opening of the valve prior to disconnection of said parts.

WILLIAM H. YANDELL. 

